What I Wish I’d Known About Starting My Own Business

I’ve owned my consulting business, Custom Living Solutions, for almost thirteen years, and it’s been an incredible learning experience. There are the things you expect to learn as you launch and grow a business—marketing, finance, customer service, training, and so on. Then there are the lessons that come as complete surprises, but end up as blessings in disguise. Here are a few that have had a huge impact on my entrepreneurial journey:

Get over your fear of rollercoasters. Entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart. While some stories you hear about successful entrepreneurs may make it look like the line graph is always up and to the right, reality just doesn’t work that way. Most business owners and entrepreneurs I’ve worked with have described a never-predictable path with an endless array of both great and deeply challenging moments. This is especially the case with running your own business where you’re highly invested both emotionally and financially. Expect some very high highs and some equally deep lows (and some loop-de-loops and upside-down spirals for good measure).

It can be lonely—but you’re not alone. Unless your family and friends are also entrepreneurs, there’s no way they’ll understand your particular brand of daily crazy. They are most likely used to stress and decision-making that happens at the office, with some threads that may follow them home. As an entrepreneur, especially in the early days, you’re always consumed by the needs of your business. You’re typically responsible for many (if not all) aspects of keeping things running. This can be incredibly isolating, as the people who care about you truly won’t understand what you’re going through. It’s important to find a network of like-minded business owners who can commiserate, share ideas, and support you through this transition.

You’re giving yourself an incredible gift. Most people will never experience starting and running a business and all the awesome, hard, fun, tear-inducing and just generally crazy things that come along with doing so. I promise you this—there’s no better feeling than achieving your entrepreneurial dreams. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment that you just wouldn’t get working for someone else.

Fellow entrepreneurs, what are some of your greatest lessons learned in starting your own business? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Joshua Zerkel is Evernote's Director of Worldwide Account Management and Training, a Certified Professional Organizer, and is the author of the best-selling book "Evernote at Work."